The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday postponed the serving of indictments against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and others accused in the case involving the importation of substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials.

The three-judge bench granted the postponement following a request by Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, who informed the court that while the charge sheets have been filed, the required annexures are still pending.

According to DSG Girihagama, the Government Printer has indicated it will take approximately 21 days to complete and deliver the annexures necessary for proceedings to move forward.

The court agreed to the request and scheduled the case to be called again on 16 September, 2025.

The Citizens’ Power Against Bribery and Corruption organisation yesterday (11) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), calling for an investigation into alleged corruption, fraud, and financial mismanagement during an agriculture project carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, between 2018 and 2024, under US funding worth USD 68 million.

The complaint alleges irregularities in several initiatives under the project, including an illegal acquisition of 25 acres from the Galaboda Estate, in Nawalapitiya, under political influence, the launch of a chilli cultivation project at Galaboda, the initiation of a gas aliper project, a high-tech polytunnel project, with 75 tunnels for vegetable seed production in the Kandy District, a mango cultivation programme in Laggala, and the construction of a climate data centre in the Dambulla Wewa area.

CPABC, Jamuni Kamantha Tushara, along with other representatives, submitted the complaint.

By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) is calling on the government to push for further reductions in US tariffs on apparel exports, warning that regional competitors may secure more favourable terms.

Sri Lanka has already succeeded in bringing down an initial 44% tariff to 30%, but JAAF says this still places the country at a disadvantage, compared to rivals like India, which was offered a lower 26% rate from the outset.

“India’s position remains under discussion, but early signals suggest it may receive a more favourable rate than Sri Lanka,” JAAF said in a statement.

Vietnam, which has negotiated its tariff rate down to 20%, has also offered duty-free access to the US, market, while Bangladesh has initiated talks to reduce its current 35% rate. Cambodia, whose rate is only slightly higher than Sri Lanka’s, is also expected to seek concessions.

Full text of the statement: The announcement of a 30% reciprocal tariff by the US, scheduled to take effect from 1st August 2025, has raised significant concern within Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. As one of the country’s largest export earners, the sector relies heavily on access to the US market, and such a steep increase threatens to erode competitiveness, particularly when compared to regional peers.

JAAF notes that Vietnam has already concluded its negotiations and now faces a 20% tariff, while Bangladesh, though at 35%, has already begun negotiations with the US to secure a reduction.

India’s position remains under discussion, but early signals suggest it may receive a more favourable rate than Sri Lanka. In all likelihood Cambodia, another competitor with a tariff rate marginally higher than Sri Lanka will also be negotiating for a reduction.

“If the 30% tariff stands, we risk seeing a migration of US buyers to lower-tariff countries,” JAAF warned. “We strongly urge the Government to continue active engagement with the US Trade Representative (USTR) to secure a better deal for Sri Lanka.”

The reduction from 44 to 30% is a recognition of the good faith with which Sri Lanka has been having its dialogue with USTR and JAAF is encouraged by the Government’s comments today indicating that negotiations with USTR will continue with a sense of urgency ahead of the 1st August deadline when the 30% will become effective.

JAAF further stressed that a diplomatic resolution is vital to safeguarding jobs, sustaining market share, and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a trusted partner in global apparel supply chains.